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Manassas Park, Virginia is largely a bedroom community for Manassas, the county seat of Prince William County, and Washington, DC. A high-tech, modern city, Manassas Park often seems worlds away from the sometimes-spooky history of the surrounding region. Nonetheless, four haunted houses are within a one-hour drive of Manassas Park.

Halloween Woods - Sterling

Approximately 15 miles from Manassas Park in Sterling, Halloween Woods (halloweenwoods.com) is an intensely scary outdoor trail. The back story focuses on killer clowns and murdered school children. As a smaller haunt, Halloween Woods provides a personalized experience that is not possible in more heavily-visited venues. The haunt is open select nights from early October through Halloween.

Haunted Hollow - Warrenton

Roughly 20 miles from Manassas Park in Warrenton, Haunted Hollow (hauntedhollowva.com) is an old-fashioned haunted trail through an abandoned farm. The back story blends documented historical facts with local legends to create a chilling haunt heavy on psychological terror. Haunted Hollow is not recommended for young children. The haunt is handicapped-accessible, though the terrain is often uneven and might be challenging. Haunted Hollow is open select nights throughout October.

Nightmare Manor - Beallsville, MD

Nightmare Manor (nightmare-manor.com) an hour from Manassas Park in Beallsville, MD, offers two haunted experiences in one. The 45-minute haunted trail is a prelude to the main event, a walk through a 200-year-old mansion filled with documented paranormal activity. The home was constructed for a doctor during the War of 1812. The doctor and his family remained in the home -- after the burning of Washington, DC -- to treat the heavily wounded militia. The doctor's wife and daughter were mortally wounded, and he was forced to treat wounded British forces. Legend has it that the doctor went mad, poisoning the British soldiers in his care. Some say the doctor eventually fled, others say that he was found dead in the house. The house has been declared haunted ever since. Nightmare Manor is open weekends throughout October.

Spooky Hollow - Darnestown, MD

One hour from Manassas Park in Darnestown, MD, Spooky Hollow (valleymillhalloween.com) easily fills an entire evening. The experience begins with a haunted hayride through the oldest section of the Valley Mill Forest. Next is a haunted trail packed with distinct scenes including a butcher shop, a graveyard, and an abandoned circus. The trail takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Spooky Hollow offers a full schedule of entertainers, fortune tellers, games and activities. Parental discretion is advised for small children. The path is uneven and may be slippery, and all guests are required to sign a waiver before entering.

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About the Author

Lisa Fritscher is a freelance writer specializing in disabled adventure travel. She spent 15 years working for Central Florida theme parks and frequently travels with her disabled father. Fritscher's work can be found in both print and online mediums, including VisualTravelTours.com. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of South Florida.

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